We left up the Paxis scaffolding to help in priming and painting the dome. The cement soaked up 13 gallons of primer mixed half water and half primer. We then sprayed 15 gallons of white flat enamel paint on the upstairs. We will have to roll the window augments because the paint sprayer could not get the back side of the bumps in the shot-crete. I hand rolled the downstairs with a heavy nap roller and a lot of pushing to get the paint into all the bumps in the shot-crete. It took about 8 gallons to go around with a heavy coat. It will need to be touched up here and there after the walls are in.
After the painting was done and the remainder of the rebound removed we took down the Paxis scaffolding. Let me tell/warn you, it is so heavy! Thank God for floor jacks and dollies. Because it was just the two of us and me not being very strong, it was quite a chore to build and take apart. I believe I will be “sick” next time we need to use it. Jim will have to hire someone to help him.
I also thought I was done cleaning up rebound. Wrong! The whole scaffolding was covered in the stuff. The walk boards were the worst. It was easier to clean because I could sweep instead of scoop.
Summer 2009:
After the drywall crew was finished doing their work, we got back to work ourselves. It was so nice to have someone else do the tape, mud and texture!
Jim sprayed primer on all the drywalled surfaces and out onto the dome to cover the overspray from the texturing. When the primer was dry he painted all the ceilings and the window augments and upper story of the dome white. We had already painted the dome over a year ago but decided to freshing it up while he had the sprayer out.
When Jim was done with all the white, I began to paint some color onto our walls. Our paint budget has been completely ruined! The concrete really can use up the paint! It was easier to paint the concrete the second time. I used 8 different colors throughout the house. Most of the walls being a taupe color. The boys all picked a color for their rooms. I left the dome white upstairs and do not want to paint it again for a long time. When you are standing in the school room /loft area you can not see the colors in their rooms. The color is on the straight walls.
The painting of the walls took about a week and a half. It was easier then a repaint because the trim has not been installed yet, nor the crown molding. Upstairs we are not using crown molding so I painted to the concrete. The hardest part was the tall wall over the stairs. The scaffolding could not get close enough so Jim had to bring in the extension ladder. It has stablizing arms but I still don't like to climb it, let alone climb it and hold onto a paint cup and paint up next to concrete which is not so friendly. Jim said" painting is your job" but he did get me the ladder and extend it up and move it around for me.
When the walls were finished I began to paint trim. I will have to touch up after it is installed but not have to trim it in. I still have trim to paint but I am nearing the end of it. Then it will be on to doors and jams.
